The Fallen Angels Book Club by R. Franklin James

the pens on his desk. “It’s going to take some paperwork and you’re going to need a lawyer.”
    â€œJeffrey, I work for a law firm. I know a few lawyers.” I grinned at him, but he didn’t grin back. “Okay, I retained an attorney from another firm. To save money, I’m assisting by coming up with all the section codes and citations. All my attorney has to do is review my brief and declaration.”
    â€œFirst of all, it goes without saying that you have my strongest recommendation.” His forehead creased again.
    â€œSecond?” I paused. “What is it? There’s something you’re not saying.”
    â€œYou know I’m one of your biggest supporters.”
    I waited for the “but.”
    â€œBut until this Rory thing gets settled, all club members will come under a lot of scrutiny. I know you don’t want to hear this, but all the club members are prime suspects.”
    I slumped in my chair. “Okay. What do you think I should do?”
    â€œTell the truth. Tell the others to do the same. I know each of you and I don’t think any of you did it. Misjudgments happen in my line of work. I misjudged Rory and—”
    â€œWallace, there’s something else.” My mouth went dry and I licked my lips. “The way Rory died. It mimicked the story line in the book the club discussed right before his murder.”
    â€œWhat?” He slammed the book on his desk.
    My words rushed out. “I know. Who else could it be, but one of us? I can’t believe it. Except for Rena, who barely knew Rory, we’ve been together almost three years. It just doesn’t make sense. We’re a pretty smart bunch; we would know that a murder mimicking the book would point to one of us. On the other hand, the fact is, Rory blackmailed Richard and Abby, maybe others. I guess the club wasn’t the lifesaver you thought it might be.”
    â€œDo the police know about the plot from the book?”
    â€œAbout how he died? Yes. I’m the one who told them.”
    Jeffrey drummed his fingers on the desk. “The police are convinced Rory was indeed a blackmailer.”
    I nodded. “I had this conversation with Abby. She thinks she might have seen the car of Rory’s killer. I believe I talked her into going to the police, but she’s not wild about the idea. She’s scared. None of us wants any more contact with the cops than necessary. Until I find Rory’s killer, the chances of me getting a pardon are …”
    I couldn’t finish.
    He nodded. “It complicates things, but withholding information in a murder investigation is an offense. Be smart. If Abby doesn’t tell them, you have to. I can give her a call if you don’t feel comfortable talking to her.”
    â€œNo, don’t. She told me all this in confidence.” Abby wouldn’t be happy if she knew I’d revealed her secret. “I’ll find out if she’s gone to see the police. If not … okay, I’ll do it.”
    Jeffrey looked worried. “Do it today, okay?”

    The afternoon was mild but the sun shone warm upon my shoulders like a comforting sweater. I sat on the patio going through my Blackberry emails waiting for Marla to appear. She’d seen me arrive, but because she was on the phone in the community room, she’d motioned for me to wait for her here.
    â€œI’m sorry, sweetie, but at the last minute I got a call about the results of my tests and I had a couple of questions.”
    I peered at her. “Everything’s okay, isn’t it?”
    â€œOh my, yes. Don’t worry. I’m in tip-top shape.” She brushed a gray curl off her forehead. “I don’t want to waste time talking about me. I want to tell you about Lily.”
    I waited.
    Marla leaned in. “You know Lily has a bad ticker along with her poor hearing and bouncing ball memory. Up until a few months ago, she slept